Jarron Cumberland performed as expected, as he led the University of Cincinnati basketball team in scoring with 25 points. Cane Broome tossed in 23.

Among those with more to prove, big men Trevon Scott and Nysier Brooks filled their scoresheets as the Black edged the Red 85-84 in a scrimmage at Princeton High School on Thursday night.

While junior guard Cumberland also had 11 assists for the Black and senior guard Broome six assists for the Red, it was the play of junior forward Scott (21 points, 10 rebounds for the Black) and Brooks (17 points, 15 rebounds for the Red) which was among the encouraging signs.

"It was just a matter of time," Scott said. "I was doing it before I got here, in high school. Now with me not being just a role player, I'm just kind of stepping up. I've been getting back to what I used to do."

The scrimmage was held at Princeton because Fifth Third Arena in the final stages of renovation. Admission was free Thursday, with a capacity crowd in an arena that sits 2,500.

Scott and Brooks are the two main replacements for Gary Clark and Kyle Washington inside, where Jacob Evans also will be missed as a backline defender. Both Brooks and Scott were limited offensively the past two years, when they were basically role players.

"As a player that's been in the program over time, you tend to develop over the time that you're in the school," Brooks said. "Me and Tre definitely plan on stepping up a lot this year. We're definitely the upperclassmen now, so there's a lot of weight on our shoulders."

UC coach Mick Cronin was encouraged with the offense, even if it was just one scrimmage. Cronin also wants to see how his big men play defense over the long term.

"My biggest early concerns, I should say, with our frontline guys is protecting the rim," Cronin said. "You can see that Tre and Nysier have come a long way offensively. Being able to protect the rim with our backline, with no Jacob back there at the 3-spot and a couple shot blockers and really smart defenders back there, that's where Tre and Nysier and some other guys have to help us."

Cronin, per usual, split his top players in the scrimmage. The Red team included Broome, Brooks, Keith Williams, Logan Johnson, Mamoudou Diarra and LaQuill Hardnett. The Black team included Cumberland, Jenifer, Trevon Scott, Trevor Moore, Rashawn Fredericks and Eliel Nsoseme.

"We were letting them play a little bit tonight," Cronin said. "They earned it. They've been working really hard."

SURPRISE: The returning UC players were presented with their 2017-18 American Athletic Conference championship rings in a pre-game ceremony at midcourt. The players happily sported the rings for media photos just before tip-off.

The players did not know about the rings beforehand.

"We wanted to surprise them," Cronin said.

GOOD CAUSE: The scrimmage benefited the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer program. Fans can also make donations to the Coaches vs. Cancer program online.

GETTING CLOSER: UC reopens Fifth Third Arena with an exhibition game against Tusculum on Thursday, Nov. 1, before the official season opener with Ohio State on Wednesday, Nov. 7.